What made you decide you wanted to join the military?

Why did I join? It was something that I felt I needed to do. I was disqualified the first time I tried, but got in the second time.

Doubts? There's always doubt. It's a major event in your life. The doubt is not really that much different than the doubt that goes through your mind before getting married. You start second guessing if it's really what you want. You either decide that it is or isn't.

Why Navy? I always enjoyed reading and watching movies that were about the War in the Pacific during WW II, especially the naval battles. The Navy is just so much different than the other branches. Their uniforms are so much different, their ranks and rates are so much different, and their working conditions is so much different.

Would I do it over again? Even though while I was in, I realized I didn't want to do it as a career, and only did one 6 year enlistment, I would do it all over again, and also do it the same way. Maybe the only difference would be the type of ship I pick - I was on a "gator freighter" (amphibious assault ship), but might want to try a "tin can" (destroyer).

Advice? - Talk to recruiters from each branch, then decide which one would fit you best. They each have their benefits and each have their drawbacks. And if you just can't make the choice to join, then maybe it's not for you. It's not a bad thing to not join - Less than 1% of the US population will. It's not for everyone, so you will be ion the majority if you don't. No one will look down on you for not joining. But they will have more respect for you if you do.

I wanted the experience and knowledge it could give me. Before the Navy, I was a fat, lazy man who still lived with my mom and was struggling to find a job, So I joined the Navy.

I am early in the Navy, there are so many doubts and worries I have, because I have never experienced such things. Such as being on a ship. I guess it's something to get used to people say. Some people say it's awesome, some people say it's extremely stressful. I hope it's both, because I know I won't like it 100%, but I hope it's not unbearable.

I joined the Navy, because I wanted to be in a branch that was more work than combat action. Some people want to see combat, some people think it'll be like the video games they play. I personally don't want that. I also wanted some good food, with somewhere to sleep other than a tent. I work behind a computer, so I am right at home with my job.

If I don't like my job, then I can just get out when my enlistment is up. Some people tell me that if I don't like my job, then I have to deal with it for 4 years. Yes, but I cannot deny the perk of free housing, free medical and a steady paycheck. As well as free travel.

Watching the Battle from the Ground during WW2 I joined the RAF at 17 served for 9 years Including Germany Borneo Singapore Malaysia and Middle east.

In Explosives Ordnance including EOD IED Egress and Nuclear weapons

worked on the Last Lancaster's wellingtons Spitfires and Hurricanes then Meteors Supermarine Swifts Vampires and Hunters and Canberra's Vulcan's

the Other Incentive was National Service was still Going ant once selected they chose the service and Job By Volunteering I got to choose Service and Trade "Armament"

I wish everyone a happy festive season Pagan or otherwise

In September 1967 I joined the Navy Reserve to go two years active after graduation from high school. This was basically not to get drafted. Next thing was to pick jobs. Jobs? I didn't join the Navy to work I join the Navy to avoid the draft. I looked around and everyone was busy doing some kind of work except this one fellas doing nothing just setting in the corner with feet propped up on a desk, smoking and drinking a coke all evening long. I was asked what job I might be interested in I pointed to the Sailor in the corner and said "I want his job.........." A year later I was in Vietnam because I selected Corpsman. Be careful what you wish for because it might come true...........

When I graduated high school, I was on my own. I went down and talked to a Marine recruiter and signed up the same day. Never regretted it, even though I still believe that boot camp was the most difficult thing I ever did or ever will do in my life.

My Grandfather served on the battleship Pennsylvania in WW1 and my Father served on the aircraft carrier BonHomme Richard in WW2.

My Father's stories about Naval Aviation in WW2 pointed me in the right direction.

Because it was the best damn thing a 22 year old with no formal education outside of high school currently working as a tile-laying laborer could of done with his life.

My Dad and two uncles were in the military.

I played CoD